Day: October 20, 2025

Manila: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to revive its Cadet Engineering Program to recruit promising young engineers into the agency. “This is very good so that we can revitalize the DPWH with fresh blood,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the department’s main office in Manila. According to Philippines News Agency, the program, which sets new entry standards for engineers, was established in 2013 by then-DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson. Through the program, Dizon said he was hoping to encourage young and new engineering graduates to join the agency and help construct

Cotabato city: The Cotabato Light and Power Company (Cotabato Light), an Aboitiz-owned firm, announced on Monday that the overall residential rate has dropped by P2.01 per kilowatt hour (kWh) this month, bringing the rate down to P8.0854/kWh from P10.0952/kWh last September. According to Philippines News Agency, Doreen Alve V. Almirante, Cotabato Light Marketing and Communications supervisor, stated that the new rate applies to bills received from Oct. 18 to Nov. 17, 2025. Almirante attributed the decrease to lower market prices from the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao, a key venue where Cotabato Light sources part of its

Makati city: The Marcos administration is making significant strides in its human rights agenda, as announced by the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination (SCHRC). The committee emphasized measurable improvements in areas such as justice, migrant protection, and police accountability, presenting these as evidence of ongoing reforms that extend beyond mere rhetoric. According to Philippines News Agency, the progress report was delivered during the 4th SCHRC meeting held on October 8 in Makati City. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin chairs the committee under Administrative Order No. 22 (2024), with Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat presiding over

Ilocos norte: The local government in this Ilocos Norte town is set to form a watch group composed of representatives from various sectors to be trained as force multipliers to combat illegal acts in the municipality. Interviewed on Monday, Mayor Edmar Vincent Bonoan said the group, to be called Bantay Bayan (neighborhood watch), will complement the continuing efforts of the police to ensure peace and order in the area. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Bonoan mentioned that funds are being allocated for this initiative in the 2026 budget. The Bantay Bayan personnel will be deployed with proper training to

Mandaluyong: Prosecutors have dismissed the criminal complaints filed by businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang against his former employee, Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, for implicating him in the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts). In a 19-page resolution dated Sept. 30 and made public on Monday, the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the charges against Patidongan and co-respondent Alan ‘Brown’ Bantiles ‘for want of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.’ According to Philippines News Agency, Ang had filed complaints of robbery-extortion, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating an innocent person against Patidongan and Bantiles. He alleged that the duo demanded